| mIU | milli-international unit; one-thousandth of an international unit |
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| MRU | mass radiography unit; minimal reproductive unit |
| PFU | plaque-forming unit; pock-forming unit |
| PICU | pediatric intensive care unit; pulmonary intensive care unit |
| PSU | photosynthetic unit; primary sampling unit |
| brain wave test | <investigation> A diagnostic test which measures the electrical activity of the brain (brain waves) using high sensitive recording equipment attached to the scalp by fine electrodes. Commonly employed in the evaluation of neurological disease (for example seizures, epilepsy, etc.). Acronym: EEG (13 Nov 1997) |
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| breath analysis test | A test of hepatic and intestinal absorptive function; aminopyrine labelled with radioactive carbon is administered orally; expired 14CO2 is a measure of aminopyrine absorption and its metabolism in the liver; a measurement of the amount of 14CO2 exhaled after an oral dose of 14C-O-xylose; a measurement of exhaled hydrogen gas following an oral dose of lactose as a test of lactose deficiency. (05 Mar 2000) |
| breath-holding test | A rough index of cardiopulmonary reserve measured by the length of time that a subject can voluntarily stop breathing; normal duration is 30 seconds or more; diminished cardiac or pulmonary reserve is indicated by a duration of 20 seconds or less. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Brigg's test | A test using the reduction of molybdate to follow the excretion of homogentisic acid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bromphenol test | A colourimetric test for measurement of protein, albumin, and globulin in the urine by use of reagent strips. (05 Mar 2000) |
| bromsulphalein test | An obsolete test for liver function (hepatic excretory capacity) in which a known amount of dye, usually 5 mg/kg of body weight, is injected intravenously; subsequently (usually after 45 minutes elapsed time), the amount of dye remaining in the serum is measured; a concentration of 0.4 mg or less of bromsulphalein per 100 ml of serum or less than 4% of the injected dye is considered normal; bromsulphalein retention may follow decreased hepatic blood flow or biliary obstruction as well as hepatic cell damage. Synonym: BSP test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| BSP test | An obsolete test for liver function (hepatic excretory capacity) in which a known amount of dye, usually 5 mg/kg of body weight, is injected intravenously; subsequently (usually after 45 minutes elapsed time), the amount of dye remaining in the serum is measured; a concentration of 0.4 mg or less of bromsulphalein per 100 ml of serum or less than 4% of the injected dye is considered normal; bromsulphalein retention may follow decreased hepatic blood flow or biliary obstruction as well as hepatic cell damage. Synonym: BSP test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| butanol-extractable iodine test | An obsolete test for thyroid function, applicable in patients who have received large amounts of iodine or iodised products. Synonym: BEI test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| California psychological inventory test | A personality inventory, used with normal persons, in which emphasis is upon social interaction variables. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Calmette test | Conjunctival reaction to tuberculin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| caloric test | A test for vestibular function, made by irrigating the external auditory meatus with either hot or cold water; this normally causes stimulation of the vestibular apparatus, resulting in nystagmus and past-pointing; in vestibular disease, the response may be reduced or absent. Synonym: caloric test, nystagmus test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| CAMP test | A test to identify Group B beta-streptococci based on their formation of a substance (CAMP factor) that enlarges the area of haemolysis formed by streptococcal beta-haemolysin. Origin: Christie, Atkins, and Munch-Petersen, developers of the t. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cancer antigen 125 test | Test for cell-surface antigen found on derivatives of coelomic epithelium. Elevated levels of this antigen are associated with ovarian malignancy and benign pelvic disease such as endometriosis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| capillary fragility test | A tourniquet test used to determine presence of vitamin C deficiency or thrombocytopenia; a circle 2.5 cm in diameter, the upper edge of which is 4 cm below the crease of the elbow, is drawn on the inner aspect of the forearm, pressure midway between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure is applied above the elbow for 15 minutes, and a count of petechiae within the circle is made: 10, normal; 10 to 20, marginal zone; over 20, abnormal. See: Rumpel-Leede test. Synonym: capillary resistance test, vitamin C test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| capillary resistance test | A tourniquet test used to determine presence of vitamin C deficiency or thrombocytopenia; a circle 2.5 cm in diameter, the upper edge of which is 4 cm below the crease of the elbow, is drawn on the inner aspect of the forearm, pressure midway between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure is applied above the elbow for 15 minutes, and a count of petechiae within the circle is made: 10, normal; 10 to 20, marginal zone; over 20, abnormal. See: Rumpel-Leede test. Synonym: capillary resistance test, vitamin C test. (05 Mar 2000) |